Peperomia plant named ‘EC-PEPE-2103’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Peperomia plant named ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ is disclosed, characterized by striking red-brown stems, and shiny dark-green leaves with dark-red margins. Plants have an upright habit, uncharacteristic of most Peperomia. The new variety is a Peperomia, typically used as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Peperomia obtusifolia.

Variety denomination: ‘EC-PEPE-2103’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program to produce distinct and better performing Peperomia varieties. The new variety was selected as a seedling resulting from the crossing of Peperomia obtusifolia ‘#1407’, and ‘#1421’, two unpatented varieties from the inventor's breeding line. The crossing was made by the inventor, Obed J. Smit, a citizen of the Netherlands in 2016. ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ was selected by the inventor in 2017 at a commercial greenhouse in Sappemeer, the Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ by terminal cuttings was first performed in Sappemeer, the Netherlands at a commercial greenhouse in September 2017, and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type through successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘EC-PEPE-2103’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ as a new and distinct Peperomia cultivar:

-   -   1. Shiny dark-green leaves with a dark-red margin.     -   2. Striking red-brown stems that slightly “zig-zag” with         maturity.     -   3. Upright-growing plant model (most Peperomia grow in a rosette         shape).

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ are similar to plants of the female parent, Peperomia obtusifolia ‘#1407’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ differ from in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Stems of the new variety are red-brown colored, while stems         of the seed parent are brown.     -   2. Stems of the new variety are thicker than stems of the seed         parent.     -   3. Stems of the new variety tend to “zig-zag,” with maturity         while stems of the seed parent do not.     -   4. Leaves of the new variety are very dark-green, while leaves         of the seed parent are light-green.     -   5. Leaves of the new variety have a wide dark-red margin, while         leaves of the seed parent have no distinct marginal coloration.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ are similar to plants of the male parent, Peperomia obtusifolia ‘#1421’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of the new variety have a wide dark-red margin, while         leaves of the pollen parent have no distinct marginal         coloration.     -   2. Stems of the new variety tend to “zig-zag,” with maturity         while stems of the pollen parent do not.     -   3. Stems of the new variety are thinner than stems of the pollen         parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ are similar to plants of the commercial variety Peperomia obtusifolia ‘EC-PEPE-1806’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,313. However, plants of the new cultivar differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Stems of the new variety are not as heavily pigmented with         Greyed-Purple anthocyanin as stems of ‘EC-PEPE-1806’.     -   2. Leaf veins of the new variety are not clearly visible, while         leaf veins of this comparator are clearly visible and         deep-lying.     -   3. Leaves of the new variety are dark-green colored, while         leaves of this comparator are light-green.     -   4. Leaves of the new variety have a dark-red margin, while         leaves of this comparator have no distinct marginal coloration.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ are similar to plants of Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Obtipan’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,598. However, plants of the new cultivar differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Stems of the new variety are red-brown colored when mature,         while stems of this comparator are brown when immature and green         when mature.     -   2. Leaves of the new variety are a darker green than leaves of         this comparator.     -   3. Leaves of the new variety have a wider dark-red margin, while         leaves of this comparator have a tiny brown marginal coloration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical blooming plant of ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ grown in a greenhouse. The plant is approximately 7 months of age.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of the foliage.

FIG. 3 illustrates typical inflorescences.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ plants at 7 months of age, grown in a greenhouse in Sappemeer, the Netherlands during October. The growing temperature ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. at night to 20° C. to 23° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Peperomia obtusifolia ‘EC-PEPE-2103’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 7 days at approximately 20° C. in     summer. -   Time to produce rooted cutting: About 10 days at 20° C. in summer. -   Description of roots: Fibrous, fine, moderately dense, freely     branching. White in color, not accurately measured with R.H.S.     chart.

PLANT

-   Plant type: Perennial potted plant. -   Plant shape: Broad ovate. -   Growth habit: Basal and lateral branching. -   Plant spread: Approximately 13.1 cm. -   Height: 19.1 cm to top of foliar plane; 20 cm to top of floral     plane. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Plant vigor: Moderate to high. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 7 months. -   Branching habit: Basal and lateral branching. -   Pinching: Pinching not required. -   Number of primary (main) branches per plant: Average 2. -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant: Average 4. -   Main branches:     -   -   Length.—Average: 4.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average: 0.5 cm. -   Internode length: Average: 2.8 cm. -   Appearance and shape: Succulent, thick and rounded. -   Luster: Glossy. -   Aspect/angle from vertical: Average angle: 45°. -   Strength: Moderately strong. -   Color:     -   -   Developing, newest growth.—RHS Yellow-Green, slightly darker             than 152A.         -   Mature.—Base color near RHS Yellow-Green 152B, heavily             flushed with anthocyanin Greyed-Purple 183A and 183B.         -   At Internodes.—RHS Greyed-Purple 185B.         -   Older stems.—RHS Yellow-Green N148A and N148B, slightly             finely, irregularly striped and flushed Greyed-Red 183C. -   Pubescence: None.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single.         -   Quantity.—Average 3 per lateral branch.         -   Average length.—6.6 cm.         -   Average width.—5.7 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Broad ovate to near orbicular.         -   Apex.—Obtuse to shallow retuse.         -   Base.—Short attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous, smooth, leathery.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous, smooth, leathery.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Luster, upper side.—Glossy.         -   Luster, under side.—Moderately glossy.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Green 143A, narrowly             margined Greyed-Orange 166A. Young foliage under side: Blend             of RHS Yellow-Green 144A and 146B, narrowly margined             Greyed-Orange 166A to Greyed-Purple N186C. Mature foliage             upper side: Blend of RHS Green NN137A and 139A, but slightly             darker; narrowly margined Greyed-Purple N186D. Mature             foliage under side: RHS Yellow-Green 146B, narrowly margined             Greyed-Purple N186D.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: RHS             Yellow-Green 144A. Venation color under side: RHS             Yellow-Green 144B.         -   Petiole.—Average Length: 1.5 cm. Diameter: Petiole             flattened, average diameter at widest (horizontally) 0.5 cm;             at narrowest (vertically) 0.4 cm. Texture: Glabrous, smooth.             Luster: Both sides glossy. Strength: Medium. Color, upper             side: RHS Greyed-Red 178A. Color, under side: RHS Greyed-Red             178A and 178B.

FLOWER

-   Inflorescence:     -   -   Arrangement.—Axillary spike.         -   Type and form.—Spike.         -   Height.—Average 5.7 cm, excluding peduncle.         -   Diameter.—Average 0.3 cm.         -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Approximately 1,300 individual             flowers per spike.         -   Flowers and buds per plant.—Approximately 5,700. -   Bud:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.4 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 mm.         -   Shape.—Flattened, elliptic.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth, moderately velvety.         -   Luster.—Slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D. -   Flower:     -   -   Type and form.—Individual flowers are very small and consist             of 1 bract, 2 stamens, and a single pistil.         -   Aspect.—Outward.         -   Habit.—Very freely flowering.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Shape.—Rotate, consisting of 1 bract, 2 stamens, and 1             pistil; no petals or sepals present.         -   Height.—Average 1 mm.         -   Diameter.—Average 0.5 mm.         -   Length.—Average 0.2 mm.         -   Longevity on plant.—Average 1 month.         -   Persistent or self-cleaning?.—Self-cleaning. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Terminal length.—Average 1.8 cm to 2.3 cm.         -   Terminal diameter.—Average 2.5 mm.         -   Angle.—Average 30° to lateral branch axis.         -   Strength.—Weak.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth.         -   Luster.—Moderately glossy.         -   Color.—RHS Greyed-Orange 166A to Greyed-Purple 183B. -   Bracts:     -   -   Length.—Average 0.5 mm.         -   Width.—Average 0.5 mm.         -   Shape.—Orbicular.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138B, center near 138A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number per flower.—Average 2.         -   Filament length.—0.1 mm or shorter.         -   Filament color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green Group, impossible to             measure due to small size. -   Anthers:     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Length.—Average 0.3 mm.         -   Width.—Average 0.15 mm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-White Group, impossible to measure             due to small size.         -   Pollen.—Amount: Low. Color: RHS Greyed-Yellow 160D.         -   Pistil.—Number: Average 1 per flower. Length: Average 0.2             mm.         -   Stigma.—Sessile.         -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Greyed-Green N199A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: None observed to date. -   Disease/pest resistance: No increased nor decreased resistance nor     susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Peperomia has been     observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures up to 40′C. Hardy to     USDA zones 10 to 12. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Peperomia plant named ‘EC-PEPE-2103’ as herein illustrated and described. 